Hut Creek Track (Craigieburn): Time & Access

Route overview

Links Broken River Ski-field Road to the Bridge Hill Road.

This DOC directory entry covers Hut Creek Track in Canterbury, within Craigieburn Forest Park. Where DOC groups several walks, times and grades refer to the listed options rather than a single continuous itinerary.

Distance, time and grade

• Distance: 1.3 km one way
• Walking time: 30 min one way
• DOC grade: Intermediate

Access and alerts

Source checked 2026-10-08. This page is a dated snapshot, not a live track-status report. Check current DOC route information immediately before travelling. An absence of listed alerts does not establish that a route is open.

• Possum control work in Oteake Conservation Park; First published on 6 June 2025. Last reviewed on 29 June 2026.

Dog access

Dogs allowed. Keep dog under control at all times. Other pets on conservation land rules.

Description

The track starts 1.9 km along the Broken River Ski-field Road from SH.73. There are very limited parking spaces at the track entrance (2 cars).

The track crosses a small unbridged creek, then climbs steeply, passing through an area of recently felled trial forestry plantings from 1956. A short track (5 min 200 m) leading to the Environment Centre carpark is met 10 minutes into the track.

The track crosses the upper Hut Creek, passing back into beech forest temporarily before sidling an open hillside with views of the Craigieburn Range. The track finishes at the Bridge Hill Road and gate.

This track connects to the Bridge Hill Track at the road gate (10 min one way).

Getting there

Turns off State Highway 73 into the Broken River Skifield Road, around 108 km from Christchurch.

Broken River Ski-field Road is extremely narrow and winding, we recommend travelling slowly (20 km per hour) to avoid collisions and to look for areas where two vehicles can get past each other.

In winter, this road may require tyre chains to access. We also recommend not travelling inwards on this road in the afternoons as there can be many vehicles exiting the ski-field.

There is no vehicle access to the Environment Centre. There are locked gates near Jack’s Pass, Bridge Hill and on SH.73 (Bridge Hill Road). Parking is very limited at all track-heads; do not block road access.

Know before you go

• No motorbikes

• No horses

Fire-damaged trees hazard

Tracks within the Craigieburn Forest areas were affected by a previous large fire and may contain ongoing hazards from fire-damaged trees.

Be aware:

• Dead or damaged trees may fall without warning.

• Falling branches, limbs, and dead spars can occur at any time, including during calm weather.

• Hazards may increase during periods of strong wind, heavy rain, or snow.

Take extra care when travelling through fire-affected areas, remain alert to your surroundings, and avoid stopping beneath dead or damaged trees where possible.

Be ready for alpine weather

This is an alpine area and people should be prepared for extremes of weather. Always check the forecast before you go. Weather forecasts for Mt Cheeseman and Canterbury High Country

Carry warm layers, a waterproof raincoat and sun protection. Find packing lists here.

Expect wasps, especially in summer and early autumn

Wasp populations reach high numbers from January to March – wear light coloured clothing and carry antihistamine cream/tablets as a precaution.

No fires

No fires are allowed within Craigieburn Forest Park.

Be careful of cars if walking along the road

Some people walk this track as a loop walk, by following Broken River road back to their car from the track end. Be careful of cars and supervise children closely. The road can be busy during the ski season.

Sources and reuse

Route descriptions and practical information reproduced from the Department of Conservation, Crown copyright, under CC BY 4.0, subject to DOC's copyright policy. Formatting has been adapted, including flattening page sections; follow the original DOC page for maps, section-specific layout, current notices and linked documents. Outdoor Next is independent and is not endorsed by DOC.

The accompanying photograph is a licensed general hiking illustration, not a photograph of this route.